Winter is the time when cravings increase strangely, which can completely ruin your weight loss plan.
Don't let winter cravings derail your summer fitness goals. Here's how you can curb your cravings and stay slim during this time.
Why do we crave food more in winter?
According to Dr. N. Vijayashree, a nutritionist, in winter, the days are usually shorter and the nights are longer. Meanwhile, the appetite-suppressing hormone serotonin happens to be synchronized with sunlight.
The sun sets earlier in winter, and our bodies produce less serotonin than in summer. As a result, you may feel hungrier on cold winter days.
Furthermore, the body also needs more energy from food to maintain proper temperature and stay warm.
Tips to help fight winter cravings
Eat enough meals: When you skip meals, you tend to overeat at later meals and eat mindlessly.
Don't Cut Fat From Your Diet: Cutting fat from your diet may seem like an obvious step to losing weight.
However, this can be counterproductive, especially in winter when your body needs fat more than ever to fight the cold. Therefore, supplement foods rich in healthy fats such as monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as nuts, olive oil, flaxseeds...
Light up your home: Lack of light in the winter can make many people feel sad, which can lead to emotional eating. So make sure your home is well-lit, especially in the evenings.
Don't skip your workout: You can give yourself an extra day off, but don't skip your workout altogether just because the weather encourages laziness. After all, exercise is a proven way to control your appetite.
